General Tapioca's day

And yet another three races sailed for the 4th Ecover Half Ton Classics Cup in Nieuwpoort. The excellent weather conditions offered a brilliant view for all spectator craft and also allowed the many photographers and the camera team marvelous shots and images, thanks to Belgacom TV, the race day sponsor, who rented a helicopter for this occasion.

Wednesday’s races were sailed in moderate winds force 3-4 freshening during the day. As the day before the strong spring tide currents allowed the better navigators to play their cards. In the last race for example, on her way to the first mark, the old UFO 31
Pastiche crossed in front of the fleet of high tech half tonners. Her skipper was still showing a wide smile, hours after the prizegiving.

Thanks to the good wind and know-how, the British entry
Hullabaloo XV won the first race on corrected time, ahead of the local halftonner
General Tapioca and the Irish entry
King One.

At the beginning of the second race the freshening wind imposed sail changes, as the medium sails were stowed away and high aspect sails made their appearance. In these conditions
General Tapioca excelled and finished the race with an advantage of 42 seconds over the fast
Per Elisa. But on corrected time it was again
Hullabaloo XV which took second place,
Per Elisa saving her third place.

For the third race the race director opted for a short inshore, to change habits, as the wind was decreasing. Sailing into some wind holes
Hullabaloo XV after an excellent start saw the fleet coming back and thundering over her. Finally it was the crew on
Per Elisa who showed that they were getting quite familiar with the race area, beating
General Tapioca and
King One. The Irish are showing excellent regularity and seem well on their way to a top three result in the final ranking.

At the prizegiving, after having sung a ‘Happy birthday’ for two sailors, all competitors were given amazing prizes by Belgacom TV. After dinner the ladies and gentlemen of
Daddy’s Girl set the tone for yet again a big party until very, very late.